Pantocrator reflects our love and passion for what we are and what we do.
09/05/2025
Winning the trophy for the best Rioja Alta wine encourages us to continue supporting the identity of our territory.
05/06/2025
This wine from Bodegas Tarón (DOCa Rioja) has obtained 96 points, a Gold Medal and the Trophy that accredits it as the Best Red Wine of Rioja Alta 2025.
After obtaining 96 points and a Gold Medal, Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021, from Bodegas Tarón, has received today the trophy ‘Rioja Alta Trophy’, which recognises it as the Best Rioja Alta Red Wine in the prestigious International Wine Challenge 2025 (IWC).
This recognition consolidates Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021 as one of the best rated wines of the edition, placing it among the elite of international viticulture, becoming one of the great references of the DOCa Rioja, which will be released on the market in the coming weeks.
With more than 40 editions, the IWC is considered one of the most demanding and influential wine competitions in the world. Each wine is judged by a panel of renowned international experts on style, origin and vintage.
The IWC Trophies are only awarded to Gold Medal wines that stand out for their exceptionality within their category. For Spanish wineries, receiving one of these awards is an endorsement of quality, a brand projection in strategic markets -especially the British market- and a tool for international positioning.
‘This recognition is a milestone for our winery and for the entire Tarón Territory. We knew that Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021 was an exceptional vintage, but to have such a prestigious jury choose it as the best in its category is a huge boost for our entire team, our winemakers and our commitment to uniqueness. We are proud that a wine born from a centenary vineyard, in one of the most authentic corners of Rioja Alta, is today an international reference’, explains Gonzalo Salazar de Gurendes, manager of Bodegas Tarón.
With Tarón Cepas Centenarias we pay tribute to our great-grandparents and grandparents, who were already involved in viticulture and who have passed on to us a way of doing things, teachings that we want to capture in our wines.
This wine is a reflection of the wisdom of several generations of winegrowers who make up this Rioja Alta cooperative, four villages united with the aim of making great wines and giving value to their land.
Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021
‘Receiving this award is a source of great pride for us, because it highlights the value of a unique vineyard with very special characteristics. Vineyards like this one are increasingly difficult to find, as their care and maintenance require a lot of effort and dedication. For me, they are real jewels. This recognition reaffirms that we are doing things right in a unique area, whose value deserves to be protected and shared’, says Laura Manzanos, winemaker at Bodegas Tarón.
Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021 is made with Tempranillo grapes from a centenary vineyard planted in El Monte (Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón), at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level and with a yield of 3,000 kg/ha. The grapes are harvested by hand in 15 kg crates and selected berry by berry, which allows for a precise, respectful winemaking process with a high potential for ageing.
Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with daily batonnages and malolactic fermentation in barrels. Aged for 18 months in French oak, followed by 24 months in bottle before release.
It has a cherry red cherry colour of great intensity and very high robe, with violet tones that reflect its freshness. On the nose, the overwhelming intensity of ripe red fruit and notes of liqueur bonbon stand out, balanced with elegant nuances of French oak, sweet spices and a subtle mineral background. On the palate, it stands out for its great volume, silky texture, ripe and polished tannins, and a very long, balanced and persistent finish, which leaves a sensation of serene strength and elegance, true to the character of the vineyard from which it comes.
With only 3,200 bottles produced, this wine reflects the essence of the clay-limestone soils of Rioja Alta and the legacy of the generations of winegrowers who have cultivated these vines for more than a century.
This award adds to the track record of Tarón Cepas Centenarias since its first vintage in 2010, consolidating its prestige as one of the winery’s most renowned wines.
In this same edition of the IWC, Bodegas Tarón has also received high scores for other of its references:
- Finca Zabaleta 2019: 93 points
- Pantocrátor 2015, Patiens 2017 y Territorio Tarón 2017: 92 points each.
With this new trophy, Bodegas Tarón once again positions itself as one of the leading voices in the present and future of Rioja wine.
About Bodegas Tarón
Bodegas Tarón is the northernmost winery in the DOCa Rioja, sheltered by the Obarenes Mountains and surrounded by four small villages with a long tradition of grape growing: Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo and Villaseca. With more than 600 hectares of vines with an average age of more than 40 years, they produce a range of consistent, high quality wines.
Four villages in Rioja Alta united in the production of wine. A tribute to vines that stand the test of time and give their best for the enjoyment of exceptional wines.
